PROABSORPTIVE EFFECTS OF MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH AS AN ADDITIVE OF ORAL REHYDRATION SOLUTIONS

Background: Partially hydrolyzed starches from staple cereals, obtaine d by heat or by enzymatic treatment, are often used in the formulation of homemade or extemporaneously used oral rehydration solutions used in developing countries. Conflicting or anecdotal results obtained thu s far could be clarified with a standardized preparation tested under well-controlled laboratory conditions. Methods: A modified commercial tapioca starch was tested. Textra (National Starch and Chemical Co. Br idgewater, NJ, U.S.A.) added at 0, 5 or 10 g/l to an oral rehydration solution with 90 mM sodium and 111 mM glucose, in 30 rats malnourished by a protein-deficient diet for 3 weeks and in 26 well-fed control an imals, using a one-pass jejunal perfusion. Results: In protein-deficie nt rats, Textra stimulated sodium absorption at 5 and IO g/l (mean +/- SEM); 0 g/l Textra: 160 +/- 13 nmol/min x cm; 5 g/l Textra: 406 +/- 3 1 (p < 0.0001); and 10 g/l Textra 230 +/- 27 (p < 0.02). Potassium abs orption was comparably increased. Textra also improved net water absor ption and the water influx:efflux ratio. Glucose absorption was increa sed only at 10 g/l Textra. In control rats, Textra improved sodium and net water absorption at 5 g/l, but not at 10 g/l Textra; but the infl ux:efflux ratio and potassium absorption were unaltered. Conclusions: These data, obtained in normal and protein-deficient rats, support the view that modified starch is a potentially useful, energy-rich additi ve for oral rehydration solution, which does not introduce an osmotic penalty. (C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.